WOOLWORTHS INTRODUCING ICONIC AUSTRALIAN FASHION BRAND COUNTRY ROAD TO SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET

April 3, 2008

From 3 April 2008, South African women will have an opportunity to experience one of Australia’s best-loved fashion brands, as Woolworths launches Country Road into four of its flagship stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng.
Woolworths has had a controlling interest in the 34 year old Australian brand for some 10 years. Says Woolworths Managing Director, Retail, Andrew Jennings, “Our brands share many of the same values. Like Woolworths, Country Road is much loved and widely respected in its home market and enjoys a reputation for offering customers high quality, innovation and great style and real value for money.”
He adds, “This offers an exciting opportunity to expand the Woolworths product range with fresh, modern merchandise. We believe that Country Road’s ranges will complement our own, and are looking forward to offering our customers an even wider choice in better-end fashion. We have no doubt that this exciting premium brand will resonate with South African women as it does with their Australian counterparts.”
Among those attending the official launch event in Cape Town on 19 February were Country Road’s Group General Manager – Product Design & Development, Sophie Holt, who has been instrumental in once again giving Country Road a chic, modern edge that has taken Australia by storm, and Group General Manager – Business Development & Supply Chain, David Thomas, who has been a driving force behind the new project.
“As Australia and South Africa share similar climates and lifestyles, we’re sure Woolworths customers will enjoy shopping across our extensive womenswear collection which includes beautiful fashion highlights through to everyday essentials,” comments Sophie Holt.
A selection of Country Road women’s fashions, shoes and accessories will be available at Woolworths Cavendish Square, V&A Waterfront, Sandton and Hyde Park, where they will operate on a “store within a store” basis.
For Winter 2008, South Africa’s fashion-forward women will be able to choose from a range of great knitwear, fashionable eveningwear, exciting careerwear and edgy military-inspired fashions aimed at a younger market. Black, charcoal and cream/white are the predominant colours, with flashes of orange and red accents.
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NOTES FOR THE EDITOR
COUNTRY ROAD: A SHORT HISTORY
The Country Road brand was launched in 1974, and within six years had expanded into co-ordinated sportswear, had ten of its own retail stores and was sold through Australia's largest department stores.
1984 marked the expansion of the brand with the launch of menswear, ranging from suits to sportswear. Its first exports were sent overseas with additional stores opening in New Zealand. Two years later they added accessories to their existing menswear and womenswear ranges.
During 1987-1988 they extended their product range to homeware, including soft furnishings, furniture, bedding, napery and bathroom lines.
By 1990 the company had grown rapidly and had achieved international recognition. Their aim: to reflect the Australian way of life through stylish, relaxed, quality apparel, accessories and homeware.
In the 1990s Country Road expanded into Asia as well as expanding its own retail stores through the Country Road “superstore” concept; combining its four key product areas in select shopping locations.
In 1998 Woolworths Holdings Ltd. secured a controlling interest in Country Road. Country Road closed its US business after 13 years in operation to return its focus to its core Australasian business.
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From 3 April 2008, South African women will have an opportunity to experience one of Australia’s best-loved fashion brands, as Woolworths launches Country Road into four of its flagship stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng.